Greetings All
I thought Id start this thread as a possible source of information and or experience for those who need and should be on INCAP but arent because of unsympathetic chains of command, or simply because unawareness of the program.
Please post any experience you have regarding the INCAP program you may have, and work arounds etc you utilized successfully in order to be placed in INCAP and remain on it as long as you needed to be.
In my case I was unable to continue working in OCT 2014 or drill with my unit. Because I was not a full time employee I did not qualify for disability (I was denied).
When I approached my unit for assistance they stated they knew of no program to assist me nor could they place me on orders as an AD member who was injured would be.
For those who do not know: INCAP is an incapacitation pay program that places reserve/guard "M-Day" soldiers on disability until such time their injuries are addressed and can return to work and or drill status, or are retired in the IDES process.
This includes members injured at drill, or to or from drill station. If injured at drill you are to immediately notify your chain of command ( I would include an email too), and a LODI is to be initiated.
Your unit should contact your states INCAP manager (yes there is someone who does this full time) and start the ball rolling immediately. If they do not or will not do this you should find and contact this person yourself. I had to contact a civilian contractor in my state in order to get the ball rolling as my unit would do nothing.
Next you will need to get as much documentation as you can get from doctors, LODs, buddy statements etc supporting your case.
You will need a statement from your employer stating you are unable to work. Mostly likely your employer will need a doctors note from you (mine did).
Then you will need to have all your 7574 forms filled out. These get done 3 months at a time. 1 is filled out by a doctor that either is military, or accepts military reimbursement is tricare. This form is good for 90 days.
Your employer will need to fill out a 7574 for each month you are incapacitated. It helps if theyll do this 3 months at a time. My employer didnt like filling these out after awhile but a quick call from my state INCAP manager changed that.
So every 3 months you will have 4 forms to turn into your unit to be signed by your commander and forwarded to your INCAP manager for processing. Most states have a monthly INCAP board to approve new cases, and continue existing cases.
As well, your commander will have to sign these. It cannot be stated enough that you NEED to have a good working relationship with your unit. Not matter how frustrated you may get with them, or what kind of turds they are, remain professional while being persistent.
Hopefully you have been a good soldier, marine, airman etc and not a dirt bag. It shouldnt matter either way as if you are hurt they are supposed to take care of you. Having said that you should be able to see how being a solid service member would help in a situation like this.
There is a 6 month limit on INCAP before it needs to be approved by NGB. This is a formality and nothing to be afraid of. Mine was approved by NGB with no issues.
My VA doctor who signs my 7574 has told me hs has soldiers who have been on this program for as long as 3 years. Ive been on for 7 months. This isnt a ride so please dont misunderstand. But it is a program that exist to help you or your fellows.
There are some BS rules regarding INCAP so be aware. For example, even though its against federal law, the Army has a policy that you cannot receive INCAP while receiving other federal payments ie VA compensation. So if you are a compensated vet you will need to stop those payments or at the very least not cash those checks until such time you come off INCAP. Its worth it trust me. Dont be greedy.
And you should tell your friends and fellows about this program so that others are aware. Spread the word. There is supposed to be an annual brief regarding the INCAP program for all RC members but Ill be damned if I ever got it. Like I said my unit, or anyone else I knew of saw familiar with it It took another member here to inform me of my rights as a soldier, and that the program even existed (thanks bro!!!).
Thats all for now. Ill post more if I think of it. Questions are welcomed-
WF
I thought Id start this thread as a possible source of information and or experience for those who need and should be on INCAP but arent because of unsympathetic chains of command, or simply because unawareness of the program.
Please post any experience you have regarding the INCAP program you may have, and work arounds etc you utilized successfully in order to be placed in INCAP and remain on it as long as you needed to be.
In my case I was unable to continue working in OCT 2014 or drill with my unit. Because I was not a full time employee I did not qualify for disability (I was denied).
When I approached my unit for assistance they stated they knew of no program to assist me nor could they place me on orders as an AD member who was injured would be.
For those who do not know: INCAP is an incapacitation pay program that places reserve/guard "M-Day" soldiers on disability until such time their injuries are addressed and can return to work and or drill status, or are retired in the IDES process.
This includes members injured at drill, or to or from drill station. If injured at drill you are to immediately notify your chain of command ( I would include an email too), and a LODI is to be initiated.
Your unit should contact your states INCAP manager (yes there is someone who does this full time) and start the ball rolling immediately. If they do not or will not do this you should find and contact this person yourself. I had to contact a civilian contractor in my state in order to get the ball rolling as my unit would do nothing.
Next you will need to get as much documentation as you can get from doctors, LODs, buddy statements etc supporting your case.
You will need a statement from your employer stating you are unable to work. Mostly likely your employer will need a doctors note from you (mine did).
Then you will need to have all your 7574 forms filled out. These get done 3 months at a time. 1 is filled out by a doctor that either is military, or accepts military reimbursement is tricare. This form is good for 90 days.
Your employer will need to fill out a 7574 for each month you are incapacitated. It helps if theyll do this 3 months at a time. My employer didnt like filling these out after awhile but a quick call from my state INCAP manager changed that.
So every 3 months you will have 4 forms to turn into your unit to be signed by your commander and forwarded to your INCAP manager for processing. Most states have a monthly INCAP board to approve new cases, and continue existing cases.
As well, your commander will have to sign these. It cannot be stated enough that you NEED to have a good working relationship with your unit. Not matter how frustrated you may get with them, or what kind of turds they are, remain professional while being persistent.
Hopefully you have been a good soldier, marine, airman etc and not a dirt bag. It shouldnt matter either way as if you are hurt they are supposed to take care of you. Having said that you should be able to see how being a solid service member would help in a situation like this.
There is a 6 month limit on INCAP before it needs to be approved by NGB. This is a formality and nothing to be afraid of. Mine was approved by NGB with no issues.
My VA doctor who signs my 7574 has told me hs has soldiers who have been on this program for as long as 3 years. Ive been on for 7 months. This isnt a ride so please dont misunderstand. But it is a program that exist to help you or your fellows.
There are some BS rules regarding INCAP so be aware. For example, even though its against federal law, the Army has a policy that you cannot receive INCAP while receiving other federal payments ie VA compensation. So if you are a compensated vet you will need to stop those payments or at the very least not cash those checks until such time you come off INCAP. Its worth it trust me. Dont be greedy.
And you should tell your friends and fellows about this program so that others are aware. Spread the word. There is supposed to be an annual brief regarding the INCAP program for all RC members but Ill be damned if I ever got it. Like I said my unit, or anyone else I knew of saw familiar with it It took another member here to inform me of my rights as a soldier, and that the program even existed (thanks bro!!!).
Thats all for now. Ill post more if I think of it. Questions are welcomed-
WF